Chapter 400: Epic Films

[Chapter 400: Epic Films]

After the release of 17 Again, Eric, despite receiving numerous offers, did not make any appearances on the big screen, not even in cameos. Nevertheless, due to his legendary rise to fame, his photos frequently cropped up in newspapers and magazines. So even while walking down the street, even if he wasn't immediately recognized, there were always people who felt a sense of deja vu.

As more and more guests arrived at the art exhibition in the library, the attention on Eric increased. However, most seemed to just think he looked familiar, as they had no intention of approaching him for a chat. To avoid unwanted attention, Eric had to put on a pair of sunglasses, which made him look somewhat out of place in the gallery. This prompted a small tease from Kathryn.

"This piece is about the Golden Apple," Kathryn whispered to Eric as they stood in front of a painting. "At the wedding of the human hero Paris and the sea goddess Thetis, all the gods were invited, except for the discordant goddess Eris, who was turned away. Upset, Eris barged into the wedding, produced a golden apple, and claimed it was for the fairest among the goddesses, igniting a dispute.

Hera, the wife of Zeus, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, all believed they deserved the apple. With no resolution in sight, Zeus appointed Paris, the prince of Troy who was tending sheep on Mount Ida, to settle the argument.

The man in thought depicted in the painting is Paris, with the three goddesses to his right. Due to Aphrodite's promise that he could win the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Paris awarded her the apple. With Aphrodite's assistance, Paris later abducted Helen, the Queen of Sparta, deemed the most beautiful woman on earth, sparking the Trojan War."

As they approached another oil painting in the northwest corner, Kathryn quietly continued her explanation. Although she majored in art criticism at Columbia University, she didn't delve into the composition and colors for Eric. Instead, she focused on the various background stories behind the paintings. While Eric was familiar with much of what she described, he made no interruption, listening with keen interest.

After finishing her explanation, Kathryn glanced at Eric, who looked deep in thought, and curiously asked, "What are you thinking? Are you bored?"

"Not at all," Eric shook his head. "I was considering putting together a proposal back in Los Angeles about the potential for developing films based on European myths and histories. This genre of film is a gold mine. Unfortunately, due to past limitations with special effects and manual labor, not many outstanding works have emerged in recent years."

Kathryn, who believed in blending instinct into her work, didn't tease Eric about thinking of work during their outing. Instead, she inquired, "Are you referring to epic films, like Ben-Hur and Spartacus?"

Both Ben-Hur and Spartacus were European epic films produced in Hollywood in the early 1960s. The former told the story of a Jewish slave's revolt against the Roman Empire, winning 11 Academy Awards and becoming a nearly unsurpassable record in Oscar history. Although Titanic had more nominations, it won the same number of awards as Ben-Hur. Spartacus was a landmark film by the legendary director Stanley Kubrick.

Both movies were massive investments that utilized thousands of extras. In an era where Hollywood's industrial practices became highly standardized, the scale of such productions was nearly impossible to replicate. Thus, making films of this nature depended on the advancement of computer-generated effects.

As Eric and Kathryn walked away from the painting of the Golden Apple, he said, "Definitely like Ben-Hur and Spartacus. Both classics were adapted from literature rather than strict historical accounts, and I believe that's key to their success at the box office and with awards."

Kathryn queried, "Why can't adaptations stick to the facts? I feel that following history is more authentic."

They stopped in front of another oil painting, and Eric explained, "But real history is often too brutal and unappealing. If one were to develop a film of this genre, it would certainly be at the level of a super production. To recoup costs, you would need to significantly alter history to cater to modern audiences. As I mentioned, viewers typically want to see what they want to see."

After Eric spoke, he glanced at Kathryn. Although she hadn't made many films by now, she possessed the ability to convey certain social consciousness in her work. However, her style frequently veered towards being preachy, which not only failed to earn her recognition from awards but could also lead to audience irritation.

It wasn't until many years later, with the film that garnered her an Oscar -- The Hurt Locker -- that she overcame this flaw. The film compellingly portrayed a bomb disposal unit's daily life during the Iraq War without preaching or commenting, yet, by the end, audiences felt a natural aversion to war. This became the best way to promote anti-war sentiments.

Kathryn gazed at the painting in front of her. Instead of providing another low-key explanation for Eric, she stated, "It seems like you're talking about my films?"

Eric smiled, "Exactly, I didn't use any direct references to your work, but you picked up on my intent. That's the best way to communicate an idea."

Kathryn recalled what Eric had said a few months earlier on the set of Point Break. She fell into a brief moment of contemplation, and Eric chose not to interrupt, standing silently beside her.

As noon approached, Eric chose the painting that sparked their earlier discussion about the Golden Apple, signing a check for fifty thousand dollars to the organizers. Whether this money would meaningfully help so-called orphaned children was not something Eric dwelled on.

At lunch, Kathryn's friend Becky Murphy joined them for a simple meal. They didn't return right away, opting to attend a four-hour lecture on European history at a Columbia auditorium at Becky's suggestion.

Throughout the lecture, Becky remained curious about Eric. As Kathryn's close friend, she had already heard about Kathryn's divorce from Cameron, making her very interested in Kathryn's relationship with Eric. During the lecture, Becky often whispered to Kathryn and occasionally cast inquisitive glances at Eric.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.